November 18, 2016
Rev. Jack A. Jennings Obituary (Age 85) Jack Albert Jennings was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1931 and died peacefully at the Hospice House of Spokane on November 18, 2016. Jack was the only child of Michael Albert and Faye Russell Jennings and attended grade school, Benson Tech high school and Lewis and Clark College in Portland. His grandparents on his fathers side of the family were killed in the Johnstown flood of 1889 leaving his father as the orphan child of Irish emigrants. Jacks family roots were in mining and railroading but Jack was a precocious student and gifted musician. He learned to play the guitar at a young age and was a talented singer and performer. While at Benson Tech High School he was in many musical performances and Student Body President in his senior year. He earned a B.A. degree in Psychology at Lewis & Clark College and a Master of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary. His musical career continued to bloom during college as he sang tenor solo in many choirs, madrigals, a cappella groups and played guitar, banjo and ukulele. During his time in seminary he was a student intern chaplain at San Quentin Penitentiary and also worked in Los Angeles with the poor. Again his music and theological study continued. In 1957 he married Joanne Harris whom he met in seminary. He was ordained in 1957 at Millard Avenue Presbyterian Church where he had been active since childhood. He then served 2 years in Yellowstone National Park followed by time in New York where he was granted a Masters Degree in Sacred Theology from Union Theological Seminary. Moving back West he served as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Wendell, Idaho for 7-1/2 years. During his tenure in Wendell he spearheaded the campaign to build a new church. Seeking the environment of a larger community the family moved to Bozeman, MT where Jack became the campus pastor at Montana State University for the Presbyterian Church. Here he founded the New Genesis, a 30-member collegiate singing group and the highlight of his campus ministry career. The New Genesis brought the energy of contemporary music and the passion of young musicians into countless regional churches, retirement homes and hospitals. The New Genesis ministry persisted for many years and resulted in countless enduring relationships. His marriage to Joanne ended during the Bozeman years but not before bringing into the world three wonderful and talented children. Later Jack married Gail Wilcox Malone originally from Butte, MT. After marrying they moved to Spokane. Jack was employed by ISC Systems and concurrently served Mission Avenue Presbyterian Church as a part-time pastor. Being an adjunct instructor in Religious Studies at Gonzaga University for 10 years ended Jack's formal working career. However, he continued his ministry with interim assignments at Harrington, and Oakesdale, WA. He filled many pulpits in the Inland Northwest. In retirement he sang in the Manito Presbyterian Church, taught the adult class, served on committees, delivered Meals on Wheels and was chair of the United Ministries in Higher Education at EWU. Jack was also a skilled writer and author of scholarly theological publications as well as letters to the editor printed the Spokesman Review. Surviving Jack are Gail, his wife of 33 years, his three children Stuart (Karin) and Blake in Bozeman, MT and daughter Alison (Dave) of Lyons, CO. Also surviving are grandchildren Jaiden and Cassidy Batts of Lyons. Jack had two step children: Thomas Malone (Eriko) who reside in Japan, and Molly Malone Ehlinger (Forrest) of Great Falls, MT. His step grandchildren include Bryce and Zachary Ehlinger and Miguel and Shane Malone. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, December 10 at Manito Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to Manito Presbyterian or the Peoples Memorial Society. � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Rev. Jack, please visit our Tree Store. Read more Events NOV 18
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